Art & Inspiration Traditional images that need no explanation.

And everybody knew ya didn’t give no lip to Big John.

 

@40ragtopdown

Hello,

This orange roadster has been in a lot of photo arrays from the early days of drag racing and speed runs. It is best described by @296ardun ... Thanks

“Rudy Perez, who took a lot of Northern California drag racing pictures for Drag News, just posted these of the Burkhart, Brammer, and Burns fuel roadster. Running a blown Desoto with a Potvin kit, this car broke records almost everywhere it ran. The bottom picture shows "Big" George Burkhart (over 300 lb, 6'7") standing at left, Everett "Hippo" Brammer kneeling by the engine, and Mike Burns in the cockpit. Hippo was a regular guy who worked in an aquarium factory, and Mike Burns worked the counter at Weiands...I used to stop when picking up parts for Blairs and have lunch with them there. After the Sadd Brothers & Teague lakes roadster was almost destroyed in a Bonneville return road crash, this roadster gave up its body to them. Hippo passed away a few years ago, was a drag racer for many years....”



Jnaki

When we used to go to Reath Automotive in the original shop on 10th Street and Cherry Avenue in Long Beach, we always got a great story, a noted fact, or two from Joe Reath. He was well known for the endless supply of useful information for all of us young racers. But, the whole time, we looked up (pun intended) to him during the conversations. He was friendly and a world of knowledge. Since we were only 5’11” and he was easily 6 feet 6 inches, we were always looking up…

Yes, a great photo ................

@Dean Lowe

Note:

Who is that other tall guy the orange shirt? George Burkhardt was 6'7” inches tall (or so…) and Joe Reath was at least 6'6 inches tall. It is Joe Reath. But, a couple of big intimidating folks with tons of racing knowledge. Thanks for the memories and valued information at the time... YRMV

 

A standout ‘40 that I remember from the Minnesota SRA, Gene Sonnen’s fine coupe.

 

Ron Ellis and Jim Yates back in the day!

 

Carroll Shelby.

 

The original "Back seat driver "

 

Roland Leong.

 

Smokey Yunick.

 

Give 'em HELL, WENDELL!

 

Any info on this car?

 

Bannister Brothers